Centered on the theme "New Engines · New Momentum: Forging Breakthroughs and Driving Innovation in Marine Science and Technology", The 2025 World Ocean Science and Technology Conference — alongside 11 professional and technical conferences in the series— will be held from October 22 to 24 at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing. The event will run concurrently and at the same venue as the Oceanology Asia 2025.Supported by the China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association (COMRA), the conferences will gather nearly 100 distinguished experts and scholars from home and abroad. They will focus on cutting-edge breakthroughs and transformative innovations, injecting robust impetus into the global advancement of marine science and technology.
Zhanhai Zhang：
- Chairman of China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association
- Former Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Natural Resources
- Former Director of Marine Strategic Planning and Economics
- Director of International Cooperation at China's Ministry of Natural Resources
Special Envoy to the 2022 UN Ocean Conference
A Devoted Pioneer in Marine Science & Research
With decades of dedicated work, Mr. Zhang has focused on the research and application of marine numerical prediction models, as well as the interactions between polar oceans, sea ice and the atmosphere and the impacts on climate change. His contributions have provided invaluable data and theoretical support for marine resource development, marine disaster preview, ecological conservation and global climate research. He also served as Veteran polar expedition leader (Arctic and Antarctic), laying a solid foundation for China’s polar research endeavors.
A Strategic Leader in Marine Policy & Governance
Mr. Zhang has long spearheaded the formulation of national policies, measures and guidelines for safeguarding marine rights and interests, conducting international cooperation and engaging in global ocean governance. He has led the research on policies for marine resource development, conservation and the growth of emerging marine industries. Moreover, he has overseen the drafting of key national documents, including the national marine development strategy, marine industry development plans, the Maritime Cooperation Vision for the Belt and Road Initiative and the China Implementation Framework for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, effectively advancing the implementation of China’s maritime power strategy.
A Key Driver of International Marine Cooperation
Mr. Zhang has successfully facilitated the establishment of multiple international organizations in China, such as the UN-GGIM Knowledge and Innovation Centre, the China-Africa Centre for Satellite Remote Sensing Applications and the UN Ocean Decade Collaborative Centre for Oceans and Climate. These platforms have strengthened marine cooperation between China and the rest of the world. Additionally, he has served as SCAR Vice President, and former Chair of UNESCO-IOC WESTPAC. significantly elevating China’s influence and voice in the global marine science community.
Navigating Toward the Deep Blue Dream
To support the UN Ocean Decade initiative and practice the vision of a shared future for oceans, COMRA has launched the Deep Blue Voyager 2035 (DBV 2035) Global Marine Scientific Research. Over the next decade, this initiative will explore innovative models to leverage social resources for marine scientific research and popular science education, build an open global expedition platform, raise public awareness of marine conservation, and demonstrate China’s new contributions to the sustainable development of the world’s oceans.
As the General Convener of DBV 2035, Conference Chairmen Mr. Zhanhai Zhang will deliver a keynote speech focused on the Deep Blue Voyager 2035 Global Marine Scientific Research at the OA Plenary—The 2025 World Ocean Science and Technology Conference on October 22.
Oceanology Asia 2025 (OA 2025) will gather 200+ global marine enterprises and 5,000+ industry experts/representatives. 11 concurrent conferences include the The 2025 World Ocean Science and Technology Conference & OA Plenary Session.
Exhibition Dates: October 22–24, 2025
Exhibition Venue: Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing